Index bar and detent means in check writers and selective printing machines

ABSTRACT

An index bar for use with check writers and money order printing machines and the like having frame means defining a printing line and a plurality of type segments adjustable to position printing characters on the printing line. The index bar includes an elongated body supported by the frame and having a plurality of transverse bores each of which receives a ball detent for operative association with a rack portion of a corresponding type segment to releasably maintain the type segment in a selected position. Certain of the bores are disposed in offset spatial relation relative to the next adjacent bores to allow the type segments associated with the offset bores to be supported in closer spaced relation than is possible with the bores aligned longitudinally along the index bar. One embodiment of the index bar has the axes of the offset bores disposed in parallel relation, while an alternative embodiment disposes the axes of the offset bores in radial alignment with the axis of rotation of the type segment members.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Ardath A. Gopperton Mount Prospect, Ill. [21] Appl. No. 783,193 [22] Filed Dec. 12, 1968 [45] Patented Feb.l6,197l [73] Assignee Theodore B. I-Iirschberg, Jr.

Chicago, Ill.

[54] INDEX BAR AND DETENT MEANS IN CHECK WRITERS AND SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. Cl 101/95 [51] Int. Cl B41] 5/24, B41 j 7/34 [50] Field ofSearch 101/95,96, 97, 98, 99,110, 93,19, 20

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,909,141 5/1933 Woodward et a1 101/95 2,697,981 12/1954 Rindfleisch 101/20 2,787,210 4/1957 Shepard 101/93 2,813,480 11/1957 Fowler 101/93 2,853,001 9/1958 Jagger 101/95 3,118,371 l/I964 Gopperton l0l/97 3,267,846 8/1966 Gopperton l0l/96 3,307,476 3/1967 Jagger l0l/90 Primary Examiner-William B. Penn Att0rney-Johnson, Dienaer, Emrich, Verbeck & Wagner ABSTRACT: An index bar for use with check writers and money order printing machines and the like having frame means defining a printing line and a plurality of type segments adjustable to position printing characters on the printing line. The index bar includes an elongated body supported by the frame and having a plurality of transverse bores each of which receives a ball detent for operative association with a rack portion of a corresponding type segment to releasably maintain the type segment in a selected position. Certain of the bores are disposed in offset spatial relation relative to the next adjacent bores to allow the type segments associated with the offset bores to be supported in closer spaced relation than is possible with the bores aligned longitudinally along the index bar. One embodiment of the index bar has the axes of the offset bores disposed in parallel relation, while an alternative embodiment disposes the axes of the offset bores in radial alignment with the axis of rotation of the type segment members.

PATENTEU FEB 6 I97! SHEET 1 OF 3 fhueniar: Qrdai/p Q: G0

eriom PATENTED FEB] 6197! SHEET 3 OF 3 INDEX BAR AND DETENT MEANS 1N CHECK WRITERS AND SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to checkwriter and money order printing machines and the like, and more particularly to new and novel index bar means for use in cooperation with the printing segments of such machines to allow the type segments to be positioned in closer, spaced relation than heretofore possible.

Known check writers and money order printing machines employ type segments or printing members having printing characters thereon which are independently movable to selectively dispose any of the printing characters on a printing line preparatory to effecting printing on a blank check or analogous instrument. The blank checks and money orders in many instances provide for the imprinting of a date and indicia identifying the source or location of printing such as a post office, bank or other source. In addition, a fee code is often necessary to identify the purpose for which the check is printed. The date, identifying number and fee code are printed on the instrument in addition to the dollar and cents amount. To allow the date, identifying number and fee code to be selectively changed, it is necessary that a type segment be provided for each of the characters to be imprinted on the instrument. conventionally, a rack or toothed portion is provided on each of the type segments for cooperation with an index bar having detent means which engage the rack portions and releasably maintain the type segments in selected printing positions. My invention is concerned with an index bar having detent means disposed to allow selected adjacent type segments to be spaced apart a distance substantially less than the spacing heretofore possible with conventional index bars and detent means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide an index bar for use with adjustable type segments in check writers and money order printing machines and the like, which index bar allows the type segments to be supported in close spaced relation whereby to allow printing of a series of printing characters on the printing line of the machine within a substantially shorter space than has heretofore been possible.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an index bar having a plurality of bores therein to receive detent means for operative association with rack portions of type segments, certain of the bores being offset relative to the adjacent bores to allow the associated type segments to be supported in substantially closer relation than possible with the bores disposed in aligned relation longitudinally of the index bar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an index bar as described wherein certain of the bores are disposed in offset relation with the distances between the center axes of adjacent bores, considered longitudinally of the index bar being less than the largest of the diameters of the adjacent bores.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an index bar for operative association with rotatably supported type segments wherein the axes of the offset bores are disposed in parallel relation with alternative bores being aligned longitudinally of the bar and having their axes in radial alignment with the axis of rotation of the type segments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an index bar wherein the axes of the bores of the offset series of detents intersect the axis of rotation of the type segments such that the direction of force of engagement of each of the detents with the associated rack portion coincides with the axis of the corresponding bore and intersects the axis of rotation of the type segments.

In carrying out the above objects of my invention, I provide an index bar having a generally elongated body adapted to be supported between the upstanding spaced side plates of a check writer or money order writing machine or the like having a plurality of type segments rotata bly supported for selective movement to dispose printing characters on the printing line of the machine. The index bar includes a plurality of tapered bores therein each of which receives a ball detent for engagement with a rack portion of an associated type segment to releasably maintain the type segment in a selected position. Certain of the bores are disposed in staggered offset relation with the center axes of adjacent offset bores being spaced closer together, considered along the longitudinal axis of the index bar, than is possible with the bores disposed in aligned relation longitudinally of the bar. The offset bores allow the associated type segments to be supported in closer spaced relation than possible with the bores disposed in aligned relation longitudinally of the index bar. One embodiment of an index bar in accordance with my invention has the transverse bores in the elongated body disposed in parallel relation whereby to allow the index bar to be made by a simple diecasting manufacturing process. An alternative embodiment of an index bar according to my invention includes a separable body portion having aligned bores therein which are angularly spaced and staggered relative to the bores in the elongated body portion, considered in planes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the index bar, such that the axes of all the bores intersect the axis of rotation of the type segments.

Further objects and advantages of my invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a check writer showing type segments positioned in selected printing positions with one embodiment of index bar means in accordance with the present invention being associated with the type segments to releasably retain them in selected printing positions;

FIG. 2 is a view taken substantially along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the index bar means in generally top view with the cover plate partially broken away and the type segments being partially illustrated in association with the index bar;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the parallel offset detent receiving bores of the index bar illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. Sis a generally top view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating an alternative embodiment of index bar means in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the index bar means illustrated in FIG. 5, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5 showing the angular relationship of the axes of the adjacent offset bores. in the index bar means of FIGS. 5 and 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. I, I have illustrated my invention, by way of example, as embodied in a check writer generally similar to that disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 2,697,981 to A. G. Rindfleisch. Portions of the cited Rindfleisch patent which, per se, form no part of the present invention will not be described in detail, reference being had to the Rindfleisch patent for a more detailed description of the check writer. As will be understood, in its broader aspects my invention may be applied to any suitable check writer, money order printing machine or analogous machine.

The check writer illustrated in F IG. 1 includes a casing or housing, indicated generally at 10, enclosing a main frame comprising vertical side plates, 12 and 14, plate 12 being shown in FIG. 1, secured together in fixed spaced relation by spacing cross rods 16. Each of the side plates 12 and 14 is provided with a forwardly extending base element defining with the upper portion of the plate a rearwardly extending opening or slot 18 for insertion of a check blank or analogous instrument in a known manner. A support platform 20 is supported by and removably secured to the forwardly extending base element portions of the side plates 12 and 14 in a known manner and forms a platform or work surface along which the checks or analogous instruments are moved during insertion into the slot 18 for imprinting thereon.

A cross-shaft 22 is mounted on and between the side plates 12 and R4 by means of reduced studs (not shown) at its ends providing shoulders abutting the inner faces of the side plates and restraining the shaft against endwise movement. A plurality of type segments or printing members, indicated generally at 24, are mounted upon the cross-shaft 22 for rotational or turning movement thereon and are maintained in spaced relation on the shaft by spacing collars (not shown) in a manner as described in the above-referenced Rindfleisch patent. Noting FIG. 2, l have shown by way of example the type segments 24 as comprising a first set of parallel spaced type segments 26 and a second set of type segments 28, all of which are rotatably supported by the cross-shaft 22. The type segments 26 include printing characters for effecting the printing of the dollar and cents digits in the dollar amount for which a check is printed, with the rightmost segment 26 having printing indicia associated therewith for indicating the country in which the currency amount is to be valued. The printing segments 28 have printing characters thereon for imprinting on the check a reference number, date, or other desired indicia which need not be printed with characters of the size desired for the numerical dollar amount of the check and which therefore may be spaced closer together than the spacing desired between the dollar and cents type segments 26. As will become more apparent hereinbelow, any desired number of type segments may be provided on the cross-shaft 22 of the check writer illustrated in FIG. 1, with my invention being readily adapted for use with such selected number of type segments.

An arcuate type bar 30 is suitably secured to an edge portion of each of the type segments 26, 28 for movement therewith. Each type bar 30, except the type bar associated with the rightmost type segment 26, is provided upon its radially outer printing face with a series of printing characters or numerals ranging from zero to nine and arranged in seriatim order from the leading end of the bar to the rearward or rightmost end thereof as considered in FIG. 1. Each of the type bars 30 is of a reduced thickness or radial extent at each end thereof providing a rearwardly extending element 32 and a forwardly extending element 34 with a'cutout or notch being provided contiguous to each of such elements. A guide bar 36 extends transversely of the main frame and is suitably secured at its ends to the side plates 12 and 14. The guide bar 36 is provided with transverse slots, one of which is shown at 38, to receive the type bars 30 of the type segments 24 and restrain them against lateral movement as in the above-identified Rindfleisch patent.

Each of the type segments 24 is provided'with an outwardly projecting finger portion 40 to which is suitably secured an actuating lever 42 provided at its outer end with a finger grip or cap 44 having a friction fit thereon. The actuating levers 42 are each received through a corresponding lengthwise slot 46 provided in a curved top plate portion 48 of the casing 10. A number or index strip 50 is secured to each of the actuating levers 42. The strips 50 are generally concentric with crossshaft 22 and underlie the top plate portion 48 of the casing 10. Each of the index strips 50 has a series of characters thereon corresponding to the printing characters of the respective type segments. The plate portion 48 of the casing has a series of openings (not shown) each disposed in overlying relation to one of the index strips 50 such that the number or character visible through any one of the openings indicates the printing character on the corresponding type segment 24 which is then disposed on the printing line of the machine in a known manner. As more fully described in the above-referenced Rindfleisch patent, the slots 46 receiving the actuating levers 42 therethrough are given lengthwise slots to allow movement of the corresponding type segments 24 to selectively position printing character in printing position. Selected of the lengthwise slots 46 may be given lengths sufficient to allow the corresponding type segments to be moved to nonprinting positions wherein the cutouts contiguous to the forward extension portions 34 of the type segments are disposed on the printing line of the check writer.

The printing characters on the arcuate type bars 30 of type segments 24 cooperate with a platen 52 when the printing characters are positioned on the printing line of the check writer, the printing line being defined by the platen 50 when in its upward operative imprinting position. The platen 52 is mounted on the forward ends of two outer platen arms 54 which are rockably mounted on a cross-shaft 56 extending.

between and mounted at its ends in the base portions of the frame side plates 12 and 14. A second platen 58 is mounted on the forward ends of two inner platen arms 60 which are rockably mounted on the cross-shaft '56. The platen 58 is adapted for cooperation with a perforating plate 59 mounted on the lower surface of the guide bar 36. Operating means including a toggle link assembly, indicated generally at 62, are provided for rocking the platen arms 54 and 60 about the axis of shaft 56, for effecting the printing operation and returning the platens 52 and 58 to their normal lowered positions. lnking means, indicated generally at 64, are provided for applying ink to the printing characters on the printing line preparatory to a printing operation, such inking means being actuated incident to movement of an operating lever (not shown) in a known manner. The operating means and the inking means may be similar to those disclosed in the above-identified Rindfleisch patent, it being understood that within the broader aspects of my invention, any suitable operating and inking means may be provided. A clearing yoke 66 is rockably mounted on the cross-shaft 22 and suitable means is provided for swinging the yoke forward and downward after completion of a printing operation to return all of the type segments 24 to normal nonprinting or zero printing positions as desired. The clearing yoke and its associated operating means may be similar to those disclosed in the above-identified Rindfleisch patent and, as they are not essential to the present invention, need not be described in greater detail herein.

Each of the type segments 24 includes a two-way rack portion 70 formed by cutting teeth in the hub portion of the associated segment. The rack portions 70 are formed on the type segments concentric with the cross-shaft 22 and cooperate with index bar means, indicated generally 72, which serve to releasably retain the type segments in selected positions. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, taken in conjunction with FIG. 1, the index bar means 72 comprises a generally elongated body portion 74 having longitudinal extensions 76 on the opposite ends thereof. The extensions 76 are of generally rectangular cross section and are received within suitable openings 78 in the spaced side plates 12 and 14 for supporting and retaining the body 74 in transverse relation to the side plates with the longitudinal axis of the body in normal relation to the planes of the spaced type segments 24. The body 74 of the index bar means 72 includes a firstset of through-bores 80 in the right-hand portion of the body, when considered in H0. 2, with each of the bores 80 corresponding to one of the spaced type segments 26. I The body 74 includes a second set of through-bores in the left-hand portion of the body comprising offset rows of bores 82 and 84. The offset bores 82 and 84 are positioned in the body 74 such that parallel planes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body each containing an axis of one of the 82, 84 are coplanar with the planes of the corresponding type segments 28. The body 74 has a plurality of transverse slots 86 formed in intersecting relation with a bottom surface 88 of the body, each of the transverse slots corresponding to one of the bores 80, 82 and 84 and passing through the longitudinal axis of the corresponding bore. Each '5 of the transverse slots 86 has a depth slightly greater than the radial depth of the teeth 70 on the associated type segments 26 and 28 such that with the body 74 supported by the side plates 12 and 14 in assembled relation with the type segments, each of the toothed portions 70' willbe received upwardly within the slot 86 corresponding thereto.

The bores 80, 82 and 84 are slightly tapered inwardly from the upper ends thereof downwardly approximately three-fifths of the'height of the body 74. The lower two-fifths of each bore is generally cylindrical and is adapted to receive a ball detent 90 therein. The diameters of the lower cylindrical portions of the bores 80, 82 and 84 are slightly greater than the diameters of the balldetents 90 so as to allow movement of the ball de- 'tents longitudinally within the bores. A coil compression spring 92 is provided in each of the bores 80, 82 and 84 to urge the associated ball detent into engagement with the corresponding rack portion 70. A cap plate 94 having a configuration generally similar to the plan configuration of the body 74.is suitably secured to an upper surface 96 of the body such as through screws 98 and serves to retain the springs 92 in compression against the ball detents 90. As is known, the body 74 of the index bar means 72 is assembled between the side plates 12 and 14 with the type segments received within the corresponding transverse slots 86 prior to the ball detents 90 and compression springs 92 being inserted within the corresponding bores 80, 82 and 84 Upon inserting the ball detents and compression springs, thecap plate 94 is secured to the upper surface 96" of the body through the screws 98 to retain the coil springs 92 in compressed relation urging the ball detents 90 into engagement with the corresponding rack portions 70 of the type segments. 7

Noting FIG. 2, bores 80 and their corresponding ball, detents 90 are disposed in longitudinal alignment along the longitudinal axis of the body 74 and are associated with the type segments 26. As described above, the type segments 26, ex cept the rightmost type segment 26 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, correspond to the dollar and cents digit printing type segments in printing the amount for whicha check is to be drawn or printed. conventionally, the printing characters corresponding to the dollars and cents type. segments are slightly larger than other printing indicia in the check writer. The larger printing characters of the dollar and cents 'type segments require that these type segments be spacedapart a distance sufficient to provide spacing between the associated arcuate type bars 30. Such spacing allows the bores 80 and corresponding ball detents 90 to be disposed in longitudinal alignment along the index bar. As further described above, the type segments 28 correspond to printing indicia or characters which are generally smaller in size than those used for printing the dollar and cents amount on the check blank. With smaller printing characters, it is desirable that the type segments therefor be supported in close spaced relation whereby to reduce the width or dimension between the side plates 12 and 14 of the check writer. To allow the type segments 28 to be supported in closer spaced relation than the type segments 26, the bores 82 and 84 are disposed in offset alternating relation along the longitudinal axis of the index bar body 74. The bores 82 and their corresponding ball detents 90 are disposed in alignment with the bores 80 along the longitudinal axis of the body 74 of the index bar. Considering-FIG. 4, lines coincident with the longitudinal axes of the aligned bores 80 and 82 intersect the axis of rotation 22 of the associated type segments 26 i and 28. The axes of bores 84 are disposed in generally parallel relation to the axes of bores 82in thebody 74. By offsetting the bores 84 relative to the bores 82, considered in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body 74, the distances between adjacent parallel planes disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body 74 and passing through the axes of the bores 82 and 84 can be substantially foreshortened relative to the allowable distance between such planes when the adjacent bores are in longitudinal alignment as are the bores 80. The transverse or lateral widths of the rack portions of the type segments 28 which are received within the associated transverse slots 86 in the elongated body 74 are less than the diameters of the corresponding bores 82 and 84, and preferably substantially less than the radii of such corresponding bores. With the widths of the type segments 28 being less than the radii of the corresponding bores 82 and 84, the offset bores 82 and 84 may be positioned longitudinally along the body 74 such that the distancebetween any two adjacent parallel planes of the segments 28 can be made less than the diameter of the largest of the two adjacent corresponding bores 82 and 84, thus allowing the corresponding type segments 28 to be disposed in closer spaced relation than allowable when the adjacent bores are longitudinally aligned as are the bores corresponding to type segments 26. The integral body 74 of index bar means 72 having the bores 82 and 84 disposed in parallel relation allows index bar means 72 to be manufactured by relatively economic manufacturing techniques such as die casting.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, taken in conjunction with 7 FIG. 1, an alternative embodiment of an index bar means in accordance with my invention is indicated generally at 100. The index bar means is illustrated in operative association with type segments 26 and 28 which are supported on the cross-shaft 22 in spaced relation as above described. The index bar means 100 includes an elongated body portion 102 having a generally rectangular cross section with opposite end portions 104 adapted to be received within generally rectangular openings 106 in the spaced sidewalls l2 and 14 such that the body 102 is supported in transverse relation to the check writer. The elongated body portion 102 has parallel side surfaces 108 and 110 with the surface 108having a second body portion 112 suitably secured thereto as through screws 114.

The body portions 102 and 112 comprise the composite body of the index bar means 100. Noting FIG. 7, the body portion 112 is of a height substantially equal to that of the, body portion 102 such that bottom surfaces 116 and 118 of the body portions 112 and 102, respectively, are generally contiguous. The body portions 102 and 112 are provided with transverse slots 86 in the bottom surfaces 118 and 116 thereof similar to the above-described transverse slots 86 in the body portion 74 t of index bar means 72. The transverse slots 86 in body portions 102 and 112 serve to receive the corresponding rack portions 70 of the associated type segments 26 and 28, it being understood that the body portion 102 of the index bar means 100 is supported by the side plates 12 and 14 in a manner such that the rack portions 70 of the type segments are so received within the transverse slots.

The portion of the elongated body 102 of index bar means 100 overlying the type segments 26 includes a plurality of bores 80 having their axes aligned in a common plane along the longitudinal axis of body 102 with each of the bores 80 being disposed in overlying relation to an associated type segment. As above described, the bores 80 are tapered slightly inwardly from the upper ends thereof with the lower portions of the bores being generally cylindrical and having diameters slightly greater than the diameters of ball detents 90 received within the'bores so as to allow movement of the ball detents longitudinally within the bores. A coil compressionspring .92 is operatively associated with each ball detent 90 and serves to urge the ball detent into engagement with the associated type segment 26. The body portion 102 includes a second series of bores 82 having their axes in a common plane along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body 102 in alignment with the bores 80. The bores 82 are similar to the bores 82 in the body member 74 of index bar means 72 and serve to receive ball detents 90 and compression springs 92 therein such that the ball the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion 102. Noting F IG. 7, the bores 116 are disposed within the body portion 112 such that lines coincident with their longitudinal axes intersect the axis of rotation 22 of the cross-shaft 22 when the index bar means 100 is in its assembled position relative to the type segments 28. Each of the bores 116, there being three such bores shown in FIG. 5, receives a ball detent 90 and a compression spring 92 therein in similar fashion to abovedescribed bores 84 in the index bar means 72. The compression springs 92 associated with the ball detents 90 within the bores 116 of the body portion 112 are retained therein through a cap plate 118 secured to an upper surface 120 through screws I22. Similarly, the compression springs 92 and ball detents 90 within the bores 80 and 82 of the elongated body portion 102 are retained therein through a cap plate 124 secured to the upper surface of the elongated body through screws 126. With the bores 116 of the body portion 112 being angularly offset relative to bores 82 in the elongated body portion 102 of index bar means 100, when considered in FIG. 7, it can be seen that witheach type segment 28 having a thickness generally less than the radii of the bores 82 or 116, the adjacent offset bores 82 and 116 may be positioned in closer longitudinal relation along the index bar means. That is, the distance between adjacent parallel planes disposed in transverse relation to the longitudinalaxis of the body portion 102 and intersecting the respective axes of the bores 82 and 116 will be substantially less than the distance between the planes of the type segments 26 associated with'the aligned bores 80.

The index bar means 100 is generally similar to the index bar means 72 except that the offset bores 82 and 116 associated with the closely spaced type segments 28 are disposed within the index bar means 100 such that lines coincident with their axes intersect the axis of rotation 22' of the type segments as opposed to being in parallel relation as are t the offset bores 82 and 84 within the above-described index bar means 72. It can be seen that when either of the above two described index bar means 100 or 72 is in assembled relation between the side plates 12 and 14 in the check writer with their ball detents operatively associated with the corresponding type segments 24, the index bar means will maintain the type segments in selected rotational positions on the crossshaft 22 and thereby maintain the printing indicia in selected printing positions during operationof the check writer.

While preferred embodiments of my invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that changes and modification may be made therein without departing from my invention in its broader aspects. For example, the index bars 72 and 100 have been described as having their respective offset ball detents in cooperation with a given number of type segments 24. It will be understood that a greater or lesser number of type segments may be provided within a check writer with the offset detent principle of my invention being readily carried forward to modify the index bar means in a manner to accommodate such greater or lesser number of type segments, the basic concept of the invention being to allow closer spacing of the type segments whereby to allow foreshortening of the width of the check writer where desired.

lclaim: w 1. lna machine for printing money orders and like instruments, the combination comprising, a frame, means defining a printing line, a plurality of adjustable type segment members supported by said frame in generally parallel spaced relation and having printing characters positionable on said printing line, each of said type segment members having an arcuate releasably maintaining the corresponding type segment member in selected positions, certain of said detent means being associated with selected adjacent rack portions and each of said certain detent means being offset relative to the next adjacent detent means considered in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said bar means to allow said certain detent means to be disposed in close spaced relation considered in a direction along thelongitudinal axis of said index bar means, and means urging said abutment means into engagement with said rack portions.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the lateral width of each of said type segments is substantially less than the diameters of said bores, and wherein said offset detent means are spaced longitudinally along said index bar means such that the distances between adjacent parallel planes disposed transverse to the bar and containing the center axes of the corresponding bores are less than the largest of the diameters of said adjacent corresponding bores.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said type segments are supported by said frame for rotational movement about a common axis, and wherein lines coincident with the axes of said bores corresponding to said certain detent means intersect said common axis of rotation.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said type segments are supported by said frame for rotational movement about a common axis, and wherein the axes of the bores of said certain offset detent means are parallel to each other.

5. The combination of claim 1 .wherein said plurality of adjustable type segment members comprise'first and second sets of parallel spaced type segments, said first set of type segments being equidistantly spaced and all of the detent means associated therewith being disposed in longitudinal alignment along said index bar means, said second set of type segments being spaced apart a lesser distance than said first set of type segments and the detent means associated therewith each being offset relative to the next adjacent detent means to allow said second set of type segments to be spaced apart a distance less than the minimum spacing allowed by said detent means associated with first set of type segments. 

1. In a machine for printing money orders and like instruments, the combination comprising, a frame, means defining a printing line, a plurality of adjustable type segment members supported by said frame in generally parallel spaced relation and having printing characters positionable on said printing line, each of said type segment members having an arcuate rack portion disposed in fixed relation to said printing characters, and index bar means including an elongated member supported by said frame in transverse relation to the planes of the type segments, said elongated member having a plurality of bores each of which has its axis lying in the plane of one of the type segments, detent means including abutment means disposed within each of said bores and adapted to engage the arcuate rack portion of the corresponding type segment for releasably maintaining the corresponding type segment member in selected positions, certain of said detent means being associated with selected adjacent rack portions and each of said certain detent means being offset relative to the next adjacent detent means considered in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said bar means to allow said certain detent means to be disposed in close spaced relation considered in a Direction along the longitudinal axis of said index bar means, and means urging said abutment means into engagement with said rack portions.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the lateral width of each of said type segments is substantially less than the diameters of said bores, and wherein said offset detent means are spaced longitudinally along said index bar means such that the distances between adjacent parallel planes disposed transverse to the bar and containing the center axes of the corresponding bores are less than the largest of the diameters of said adjacent corresponding bores.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said type segments are supported by said frame for rotational movement about a common axis, and wherein lines coincident with the axes of said bores corresponding to said certain detent means intersect said common axis of rotation.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said type segments are supported by said frame for rotational movement about a common axis, and wherein the axes of the bores of said certain offset detent means are parallel to each other.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of adjustable type segment members comprise first and second sets of parallel spaced type segments, said first set of type segments being equidistantly spaced and all of the detent means associated therewith being disposed in longitudinal alignment along said index bar means, said second set of type segments being spaced apart a lesser distance than said first set of type segments and the detent means associated therewith each being offset relative to the next adjacent detent means to allow said second set of type segments to be spaced apart a distance less than the minimum spacing allowed by said detent means associated with first set of type segments. 